A commercial to HMO conversion turns space that was never a home, such as upper floors over shops or small office buildings, into shared accommodation. In Ely, a town of about 21,000 people in Cambridgeshire, the work is planned around the HMO rules for England and the council’s written HMO standards.
- Area
- Cambridgeshire, England
- Postcodes
- CB6 and CB7
- Location
- 15 miles north-east of Cambridge
- Pricing region
- East of England
What does commercial and above-shop to HMO in Ely involve?
- Sound insulation to floors and party walls
- Coordination with planning and building control
- New kitchens, bathrooms and ensuites
- Fire separation between the commercial unit and the homes above
- New electrics, heating and ventilation
Which rules apply in Ely?
Here is what usually applies to a Ely job of this kind. It is general information rather than legal advice, and the council’s written HMO standards have the final detail.
- Under the Renters’ Rights Act, civil penalties reach £40,000 for offences such as running an unlicensed HMO.
- 7 or more sharers is a sui generis large HMO and normally needs planning permission.
- A conversion can be a material change of use under the building regulations, so confirm with building control before work starts.
- Smoke alarms on every storey with living accommodation and CO alarms by fixed combustion appliances (other than gas cookers) are required by law.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Ely?
| Item | UK typical | Local guide | Per |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conversion works per letting room (walls, linings, electrics, decoration; excludes kitchens, bathrooms and fire systems; our estimate) | £3,500 – £6,500 | £3,700 – £6,900 | letting room |
| Panel alarm system (Grade A type), larger HMO | £1,750 – £4,500 | £1,850 – £4,750 | house |
| Acoustic ceiling or floor upgrade, 12–15 m² | £800 – £2,700 | £850 – £2,850 | room |
| Communal HMO kitchen with extra cooking and sink capacity (our estimate from domestic ranges) | £8,000 – £18,000 | £8,500 – £19,100 | kitchen |
| Ensuite shower room added to a bedroom | £4,000 – £10,000 | £4,250 – £10,600 | ensuite |
Prices in Ely are shown with our regional adjustment for East of England (above the UK average). Your quote is itemised and fixed in writing once the scope and specification are agreed.
How long does it take?
Typical time on site: 12–24 weeks. We agree the programme with you before starting and send photo updates as the work progresses.
When do Ely landlords need it?
Typical reasons for this work in Ely:
- A mixed-use building where the upper floors need bringing into use
- Empty upper floors above a shop you own
Questions about commercial and above-shop to HMO in Ely
Do you work on listed or conservation area buildings?
Yes, with the right consents in place. Older high street buildings often need extra care with windows, fire upgrades and sound insulation.
How far do you travel from Ely?
We cover the whole of Cambridgeshire and work UK-wide. For Ely the nearest towns on our list are Newmarket (12 miles), March (13 miles), Cambridge (15 miles).
Does a shared house in Ely need an HMO licence?
In England, a mandatory licence is needed for 5 or more people from 2 or more households. Smaller HMOs can need a licence where the council runs additional licensing, which is common in towns with many shared houses. Check the council’s website for the address.
How much does commercial and above-shop to HMO cost in Ely?
Our guide ranges for East of England are in the table on this page, and the guide-price tool gives a figure for your house. A fixed written quote follows a free site visit.
Commercial and above-shop to HMO near Ely
- Newmarket · 12 mi
- March · 13 mi
- Cambridge · 15 mi
- Wisbech · 19 mi
- Huntingdon · 20 mi
- Thetford · 21 mi
- All of Cambridgeshire